Electrically controlled platen operating mechanism for time stamps



Feb. 7, 195% F. s

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED PLATEN OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TIME STAMPS FiledFeb. 11, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l F. Q. RAST ON Feb. 7, 1950 2,496,598ELECTRICALLY c TROLLED PLATEN OPERATING 7 MECHANISM FOR TIME STAMPS 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1944 ENVENTOR MA/ ATTORNEY 2,496,59 ENOPERATING F@b. 195@ F. Q. was ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED P MECHANISM FORTIME sum 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 11, 1944 MA k E 5...... 5 i I I k.

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ELECTRICALLY CONTIQCSLLED PLATEN OPERATING v MECHANISM FOR TIME STAMPSFiled Feb. 11, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IVENTOR QRNEY Patented Feb. 7, 1950ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED PLATEN OP- ERATING MECHANISM FOR TIME STAMPSFrederick Q. East, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to International BusinessMachines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication February 11, 1944, Serial No. 521,933

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to time stamps and more particularly to the typein which the impression is effected by a power operated means, incontradistinction to the type wherein the impression is effectedmanually.

The invention primarily concerns the platen operating mechanism and ithas for its principal object the provision of an improved mechanism thatwill provide the clean sharp print without reliance upon the use of asolenoid for directly actuating the platen.

While solenoids of various purposes have been found efiicient in theirfunction, their use usually required the provision of a non-repeatplaten operating mechanism, which expedient is eliminated by the presentinvention. Furthermore, to secure suiiicient power to operate the platento provide the.clean sharp print, solenoids of sumcient capacity wererequired, and required considerable electric power for their completeenergization. Since the circuits of such solenoids were directly in thecircuit which included the paper actuated contacts, difficulties inmaintaining clean and efiicient contacts resulted. In the presentinvention all of such difiiculties are completely avoided since theplaten operating mechanism is operated by a spring operated drive, whichenergy is constantly stored and maintained for use as a main power driveas the time stamp is called into operation.

A supplemental object of the invention is the provision of an electricalmotor and driving con nections between the electric motor and the springdrive which automatically maintain the spring drive completely wound.

A still further object is to provide an improved arrangement by means ofwhich the unwound condition of the spring drive is detected and arewinding operation by the electrical motor operating is automaticallyeffected.

A still further object is to provide a novel form of means to preventover-winding of the spring drive and possible resultant damage to theparts.

More specifically the last named object is attained by the provision ofa worm wheel drive intermediate the motor and the spring drive. Duringthe time that the spring drive is being wound the worm wheel functionsin a normal manner and this normal operation is derived by balancing thepower to coil the spring against a balancing spring, which latterprovides a thrust bearing for a floating shaft of one element of theworm wheel drive. In the rewinding operation when the power required towind the coil spring is greater than the balancing spring, then the wormwheel drive functions in another manner,

2 the operating characteristics being such that the floating axis shiftslaterally to terminate the operation of the electric motor and thespring rewinding operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whichenables the operation of the mechanically operated platen operatingmeans without damage of parts in the event that the platen is obstructedor prevented from receiving its invariable printing movement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an escapementmechanism which comprises a mechanical control for the platen operation.4

A still further object is to provide an electromagnetic control of theaforementionedescapement mechanism and operatively coordinated in such amanner that a small electromagnet or solenoid can be used for initiatingplaten operations.

A still further object ensuing directly from the provision of a smallelectromagnet is to provide a circuit closing contact device operable bythe paper inserted in the machine. Since, in the present machine, theelectromagnet does not require large currents for its energization,contact troubles are greatly minimized if not completely eliminated.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode, which has beencontemplated, of applying that principle.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the right side of the machine,relativeto the operator, the lower casing being shown broken away toshow the interior parts constituting the present improvement. i

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1and shows-in plan'the parts constituting the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1which is substantially the mid-portion of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1and shows the construction of the spring operated power drive of thepresent invention.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1,showing particularly the escapement operated means for effecting thereciprocation of the platen by the spring power drive.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line B--'& which is substantially at thefront portion of the machine and shows particularl the platen and therelated operating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detached view showing the construction of the escapementmechanism as well as the electromagnetic: controletherefor.

Figs. Band 9 are views of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 7 but inmoved position.

Fig. 10 is an electrical wiring diagram of the electricalinstrumentalities involved in thepresent invention.

Fig. 11 is a detached view showing'the parts associated with the platenoperating-mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of ttheizpaper actuated contact operatingmechanism.

The entire time stamp .is ,mounted upon.a base casting 18 which providesthe entire supporting means for the novel platen operating mechanism.The latter mechanism is enclosed :by a casing Hjf(Eig.il)'..Byzmeansrofr-a.pivot .pin 12. carried :by the:bottom-casing=theprintinghead l3=sis: pivotallyimounted. The printing head [3 constitutes thetype awheelsthewclock controlled drive, 'time indicating mechanism,ribbon feeding mechanism,*etc., all of :which are fully shown anddescribed' in detail in the patent to LSC. Bishop -'et-a1.,"No.-1;?981583, dated -Mar'ch 31, I931. The me0hanism-inthe printingihead isnot shown herein since the present "invention relates to "novel means'"foroperating and controlling the impression taking" means; or "platen.For an understanding of the present invention, it is sufilcienttounderstand that the time print ing means consists of a group of wheels1.4 (Figs. .1 and 11) which.are preferablyftime and date printing wheelstoprint such information upon the papers to be stamped. The printinghead I3 has a separate enclosing casing (Fig. 1) and. it will vbe:observed that .they front portions vof..the.casings l5..and=ll..are.sodisposedas to .provide a; deep unobstructed opening HLfor receiving thecpapers .to ..be..stamped. .Of course, theprinting :head [-5-is..-suitably latched .to the base portion of the machine .so -that.the .time

and "date iprinting --.wheels M are immovable to outline aszthe 'platenH, that is rectangular,

and suitably :guides theaplaten in; itsreciprocating movement. Theplaten I1 is, as-sshown in Fig. 1, normally below. the.uppenhorizontahsurface: of the :casing: l I' to provide an unobstructedpositioning of itheepapersutoibe stamped.

The preferredform'of means which provides the operativeconnectioni'betweenthe platen .operating mechanism -and the: platen is'best shown in Figs. 5,6and 11. Referringto Figs. 5 and 6, itwill' beseen that upstanding from the-base H] are brackets 22- and 23in which isjournalled a shaft 24 and secured to the shaft -is' an -arm25 and, asshown 'inFig. 11, arm 25' projects within a slotZGa of the cylinder'2lland underlies the bottom of the stem 19 of the'platen H. To the rockshaft '24 there is secured 'an'arm 2B and loosely mounted on the rockshaft 24 is a plate 2! and interposed between the arm 26 and the plate2'! is a normally tensioned spring 28. Spring 28 draws arm 26 againstplate 21 until edge 21a strikes spring stud 26a carried by the arm 26.Obviously, when the plate 2! is rocked counterclockwise, the earm 26wvill be rocked through the interpose'd spr-ing ZBin'the same directionand accordingly the shaft 24 will be rocked in a similar direction tocause the arm .25 to elevate the platen" to effect the percussiveprinting action. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 5 camportion 29 of the plate 27 rests on the top of one of the series ofoperating studs 30. Such studs are equiangularly disposed on anescapement disk 3| and are coextensive with the step of movement givento the escapement disk3l for each operation of the machine. Therefore,in the angular movement of the escapement disk 3|, controlled in themanner to be subsequently explained; the'stud t'o in-cooperation withthecam portion"29' will, in such step "of movement, "positivelyrock-the: plate 2? counterclockwise, andthrough spring 28 rockingarm 26,shaft .24, and arm .25 inthe'same'counterclockwise direction. willpositively force the impression blockil'to impress the paper to bestamped against theprintlng .wheels.

In the actual operation .of .themachine the step of movementgiven'to'fthe escapementqdisk 3 I by .a spring -operated .drive .is veryrapidvand accordingly .the platen '11 .is operated .with a hammer .blow,.to thereby,provide the desired clean impression. .Itmaybepossible thatthe platen will be stoppedcbythe. type wheels .before the .plate 21 isgiven the extentof movement providedby the-step ofvmovementiof theescapement vdisk 3]. .However, no damage will be caused-because it. isobvious that further movement of theplate E21 :afterzthegplaten has beenobstructed will merely tension the spring -28 until. the operatingstud30xfinally clears; the :cam portion 29 ofithe :platet2'l.

The position; of-the; parts 330,-" as the "operating stud '30 271532110111; to: clearv'the: plate 21,: is shown in Fig. 11,. it'tbeingl"obvious that :a I slight additional clockwise movement of theescapement -'disk' 3 twill cause the stud torclearz the cam por tion 29,whereupon the platen is now'free to drop'to'normal position by its ownweight, and parts connected thereto. "Ifso desired, an -suitabletensioni-ng means may be attached to the platen or any parts which aregiven a similar movement to positively restorethe platen to its normalposition. However, "by proper dimensioning of the partsrandiselection ofsuitable materials,gravity alone .may be depended upon for restorationof. the .platen to normal.

Means. to .effect an. e uiangular step ,of. movement of.the.escapement.disk;3l .for each operation. of the, machine, .that is,,for.-each stamping or printing of the inserted. paper,..will now .bedescribed,;,particularly in connection -with:Figs. 5, 7,-8,'-9,l 0 and11.

'r'lhe escapement-disk ".3 I .l'S iprovided with escapement teeth32-which-are disposed around the periphery to correspond with theangular .positioning'of'the operating'studs 30. Associated withthe-teeth '32 is anescapement mechanism which consists of a positivelyoperated escapement pa\vl 33'=and a'sprin operated stop pawl 34 and toprovidethe movement of such pawls there'is'provided a solenoid'35. Itwill be observed from Figs. 2' and 5 that this escapement control ismounted on the base ID of the machine.

The solenoid 35 has a core 36 having a reduced portion 3'! receiving alug 38 of a link 39. An elongated slot 40 of the link 39 receives a stud4| secured to the base of the machine, thereby guiding the link 39 inits movement effected by the solenoid 35 to the right and its retractionby a spring 42 connected to the aforementioned link 39. The link 39 isconnected to the positively operated escapement pawl 33 by a pin 43. Astud 44 passing in the base |IJ provides the pivotal mounting for thestop pawl 34 and the escapement pawl 33. It will be noted that while thestop pawl 34 is superimposed with respect to the escapement pawl 33 thelatter has a bent-up portion 45 (see also Fig. 5) which brings theterminations of the pawls 33 and 34 in the same plane and therefore in aposition to intercept one of the teeth 32 of the escapement disk 3| Asprin 46 is interposed between the stop pawl 34 and the positivelyoperated escapement pawl 33 and normally, that is to say, after aprevious operation of the platen, one of the teeth 32 of the escapementdisk 3| normally abuts a shoulder 4! of the escapement pawl 45. (SeeFig. 7.)

Referring to Fig. 10, reference numeral 48 represents electricalcontacts which may be manually closed, or by the paper to be stamped orprinted when it is inserted in the machine. From the simple electricalcircuit in Fig. it is clear that closure of such contacts will energizethe solenoid 35 and the latter will attract its core 33 to move the link39 to the right as shown in Fig. '7 to rock the escapement pawl 33clockwise, withdrawing the shoulder 41 from the tooth 32 with which itis engaged.

Assuming now that the spring drive has been wound up sufficiently todrive the escapement disk 3|, the latter is now free to rotate tooperate the platen in the manner previously described.

Fig. 8 shows the position of the parts wherein the escapement pawl 33has been rocked sufficiently to release the escapement disk 3| and insuch position the sprin 46 is tensioned so that a shoulder 48 of thestop pawl 33 bears against the side of the tooth 32. The escapementtooth 32 will, of course, pass by the shoulder 48 as the escapement disk3| is moved a single step. When the link 39 is at its extreme positionat the right, the increased tension of the spring 45 will rock stop pawl34 sufficiently so that shoulder 48 is now in the path of the followingtooth 32. (See Fig. 9.) Ultimately the tooth 32 will abut the shoulder48 to stop the disk 3|. When the solenoid 35 is deenergized, spring 42will now shift link 39 to the left. Since the shoulder 41 abuts theshoulder 48, this will rock the stop pawl 34 slightly in acounterclockwise direction, withdrawing the shoulder 48 from an abutmentrelationship with the following tooth 32, whereupon the disk 3| willmove very slightly until the following stop tooth 32 engages theshoulder 41 of the escapement pawl 33. The parts are now in the positionshown in Fig. '7, ready for a subsequent operation.

The spring operated means for providing the stepby-step movement of theescapement disk is preferably provided by the usual form of springbarrel, well known in clock mechanisms, typewriters, etc. A somewhatsimilar means is preferably utilized herein and comprises a coil spring50 (Fig. 4) which, as it is permitted to uncoil,

provides the power to rotate the escapement disk 3|. One end of the coilspring is secured to a winding shaft 5| by a pin 52, the other end ofthe coil spring 53 enveloping one of the series of studs 53. The coilspring is mounted in a cage which comprises the escapement disk 3| and aparallel circular disk 54. The disks 3| and 54 are spaced apart byspacin tubes 55 (Figs. 1 and 4) through which pass fastening screws 53.At each end of the screws 55 the aforementioned operating studs 30 arescrewed. By this arrangement a rigid spring carrying cage is provided.

The winding shaft 5| may be rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) byany suitable supplemental power operated means to store up the necessaryspring power but preferably this is rovided by an electric motor 51which is carried by a sub-base frame 58 fastened by any suitable meansto the base plate III. This motor may be of any suitable design adaptedto perform efficiently by the current supply with which it is connectedand have sufiicient torque to rotate shaft 5| to wind up the coil spring50. The gear driving connection intermediate the motor 5'! and thespring cage will now be described.

The armature shaft of the motor 51 has secured thereto a worm wheel 59(Fig. 3) meshing with a worm gear 63 carried by a shaft 6|. The latteris rotatably supported by a pair of brackets 62 extending upwardly fromthe base plate It]. A supplemental support plate 33 is also provided togive additional support. Between the brackets 62 the shaft 6| isprovided with Worm wheel threads 64 in mesh with a worm gear 35 securedto a worm wheel support shaft 66 which extends at right angles to theshaft 6|. The shaft 66 is a short shaft and is supported by a pair ofbrackets 31, one of which is shown in Fig. 2, both being supported bythe base plate H3. Shaft 66 has secured thereto a pinion 38 meshing witha gear 69 which is fastened to the spring winding shaft 5|. The abovedescribed gearing aside of having a special function to be subsequentlydescribed provides a reduction gearing between the motor 51 and thespring winding shaft 5|. The gearing is so arranged that with the properdirection of rotation of the, motor the shaft 5| will be turnedclockwise. Since normally the escapement disk 3| is held by theaforementioned escapement mechanism, it will be evident that in rotatingthe spring drive shaft 5| clockwise the coil spring 59 will be wound butmovement to the spring cage including the escapement disk 3| will beeffectively prevented by the cooperation of the escapement pawl 45 witha tooth 32 of the escapement disk 3|. Through the gearingaforementioned, the coil spring 50 is wound until it has been woundsufllciently, whereupon a certain operation will be effected to preventover-winding of the spring and possible damage to any parts of themachine. The automatically operated mechanism for effecting thisfunction will now be described in detail. This arrangement is best shownin Fig. 3.

Integral with the shaft 6| is a disk or flange 10 and interposed betweenthe flange 19 and a washer H which is loose on the shaft 6|! is a coilspring l2 encircling the extremity of the shaft 6|. The spring 12 isnormally under compression so that the spring will urge worm gearagainst plate 63 and the washer H against the balls of a ball bearingrace 14 which is carried by the support plate 63. The expansive strengthof spring 72 is so selected as to prevent any transverse movement of theshaft 6| to the left while the coil springis being woun'dup i from .acompletely uncoile'd condition andthe worm drive 64-1 65 then functionsasnamormalrdrive until a: predetermined wound condition is reached. PASthe shaft'ilil (Fig. 4) :is continually rotating in a clockwisedirection Z -tO wind the coil spring :50 from .a completely. unwoundcondition; the power required by the motor .Will "be increased until atarnearly wcund condition of the spring coil 50, or even when its mam'mumwound condition obtains, further. winding'operations will be efiectivelypreventedirby the tollowing operation.

When :this' predeterminedlloard ionsshaft'rfil is reached the wormwheelfi liis stillattempti-ng to rotatethe-worrrrgear=65cnow-heldrelatively stationary, o1" nearly so,r.but :isunable to do so when the::pcwer :to .drive. shaft-:Efiexceeds the forceof therba'lancing'spning:T2. 'At this timewor-m wheel threads Meeting-onworm-geanllS will now cause shafhfil to be feditorthe "left as it: isbeing rotated-since shaftzBl uiSifBGEl'sOsSO move due to thesabsencetofathrusti hearing at :the left. .This lateral movement -ofshaft-*Ghcontinues until a point is reached' whereathe flange "H! ;ofshaft 6 l, in cooperation withaa stud "T .ofalever l6, rocks said leverwas to openaan=electricswitch to disconnect the current supply from themotor. The electrical ::-means for initiating the operation ofthe-motorfil 'when'a completely unwound condition of the-sprin drive isdiscernedwill now be explained.

Pivotally' mounted on one of the studs 53 (Fig. 4)-.is'a feeler levenBil.urged bye spring 81 so that it ispressed 'at all-times-against theoutermost convolution of the spring-50. .Whenthespr-ing is completelyunwoundas shown i-nvFig. 4 ahead portion 82 of the feelerleverrltlliwillyduring a certain steppingmovement of the spring cage,makecontact'withand operate'alever 83 secured to. a transverse shaft-84suitably journalled. in .a recess of the base plate l0. The-rock'shaft84 carries (at its extremity :a-switch-operatingarm 85. Therocking of theshaftr84 iseffected .upon a completely unwound condition:of the spring 58- and the rocking of the-lever-.-85 to'therig-ht (Fig.6) will push inwardly the on switch button :86 of any-suitable form ofswitch. The switch"S:is-preferably of -a type known as the Muf switchconstructed as shown in the Patent No. 1,780,758, dated-November 4,1930..The elementary'parts of: this switch are diagrammatically shown in'Fig.lO-Wherein it-will be noted-that the contact carrying switch blade :81'is-anchored at 88;the-characteristics of the preferred form of switchbeing such that when the buttonBB is depressed slightly by theoperating-arm 85 the spring-blade :81 will snap towa contact makingposition to close contacts-89, the latter beingin series with theelectrical motor 57 to thereby initiate the operation of the motorresulting in the winding of the coilspring 50.

"When :a completely wound conditionof the springs!) 'is' eifected, or tothe-point desirable, it will be recalled that the flange of shaft 6|is'moved laterally to the left shown in -Fig. 3, and by oontactwiththebutton will rock the bell crank lever 76. This leveris pivoted at 96(Fig. 2) and the front 'portiondll of the bell. crank levermus-positioned adjacent-the off button 92 of the switch S. This willthen result in the opposite snapping of the switch blade 87 to opencontacts 89 to cut the .currentsupply from the motor 51.

Hence, the m0tor-51-wi1l be cut in and out of the circuit:automatica-lly the .number of times 1 this is-eifected, depending'of.course, on the. number of times that thestamp is :used for printingoperations. Such operations are effected automatically without ;anyattention on the'part of the operator.

Any suitable means either manual. or paper controlled, may be'providedto close the contacts 48 to initiate the imprinting operation. However,the preferred form of means will nowlbe described.

'The contact operating mechanism is constructed. as a-unitand is carried{by a bracket 95. Pivotally mounted on the bracket 95 by a pin 98 isa'bell crank lever96'9'l which is provided with an" integral upstanding[paper actuated'finger. 99. Thelatter is disposed lathe-opening i6-to beactuatedcbythe' paper inserted in the machine to be stamped. The portion'91 of the bell crank lever has pivoted at H10 a lever lfll providedwith a-shoulder. I02, normall engaging the extremity of acontact'operating arm I03. A spring I04 interposed between the levertill 'and'the bracket QS-maintains-the normal :position shown inFig. l2.Obviously,:when thepaper strikes the finger 99 its continued movementtothe rear will-rock the bell crank 1eVerB6'91 :and' through the leverlOl arm 4-03 will'xberocked to close the-contacts 48.

It will be recalled thatclosure of-suchcontacts will energize thesolenoid 35 to initiate the operation of i the spring driven "escapement 'mechanism to-eifect the printing operation.

From-Fig.- 11 it will be seen that a downwardly extending lug'lflEintegral with the lever Hills in the path of; the teeth.32 of theescapement disk 31. "lhe release of the escapement disk 31 for a stepwill cause one of the teeth 32.to engage the lug H15 to rock the-leverl-fll, thereby unlatchin'g the arm N13. The resiliencyof theoperatedcontact operating blade is suficient sot that'contacts 48 will. therebyopen, irrespective of the fact that the paper which has been printedwillwbe maintained in contact with the finger 99 to keep-the bell cranklever- 96"9l' in'rocked rposition. Hence, automatically operatedmechanism operates-to open the contacts-48 to v.deenergize the solenoid35 to enable the proper performance of the escapementmechanism;previously described.

awhile there have been shown and describedand pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to asinglemodification, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions andc'hanges in theform and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may 11631185618:flGY-thOSG SklHQd intheart without departing from thespirit of the invention. It is theintention; therefore, to be limited only as in dicatedby the scopeofthefollowing claims.

What :is claimed is:

,1.rI-na platen"operating-mechanism for a time stamp, the combinationof'a'spring operated motor, an escapement member driven'by said springmotor,-a platen actuating member, an electromagnetically controlled'escapement mechanism for causing: said escapement member to o eratesaid platen actuating member to operate said platen to effect a paperstamping. operation, and a circuit for the electromagnet"controllingsaid escapement mechanism and including contacts actuated bythe .palperinserted in the machine for a stamping operation to energize theelectromagnet.

.2. Ina time stamp, a-spring operated motor having the customaryoperating springmounted upon a spring w-indingiarbor, an'escapementvdisk I carried by said arbor and operatively connected tosaid operating spring, a mechanical escapement mechanism cooperatingwith successive teeth of said escapement'disk to release said disk for apredetermined extent of rotation, means operated :by said disk foractuating a platen of the time stamp, a solenoid for controlling theescapement mechanism upon its energization, a circuit for said solenoidincluding contacts actuated to closed position to energize the solenoidby the paper to :be inserted in the machine to be stamped, and meansoperable by a part of the escapement disk for enabling said contacts totake an open [position irrespective of the maintained insertion of thepaper within the machine after a stamping operation.

3. In a platen operating mechanism for a time stamp, the combination ofa spring operated motor, an escapement member driven by said springmotor, a platen actuating member, an electromagnetically controlledescapement mechanism for causing said escapement member to operate saidplaten actuating member to operate said platen to efiect a paperstamping operation, a circuit for the electromagnet controlling saidescapement mechanism and including contacts closed by the paper insertedin the machine for a stamping operation to energize the electromagnet,and means actuated by said escapement member to cause said contacts toassume an opened position to ,deenergize said electromagnet.

4. In a time stamp, a spring operated motor having the usual operatingspring mounted upon a spring winding arbor, an escapement disk carriedby said arbor and operatively connected to said operating Spring andhaving operating .projections thereon, a mechanical escapement mechanismcomprising a stop pawl and an escapement pawl cooperating withsuccessive teeth of said escapement disk to release said disk for apredetermined extent of rotation, an arm operable by said operatingprojections when said disk escapes, an arm for actuating a platen of thetime stamp, interconnecting means between said arms for causing saidfirst named arm to actuate said platen actuating arm when said diskescapes, a solenoid for operating the escapement pawl upon itsenergization, a circuit for said solenoid including contacts actuated toclosed position to energize the solenoid .by the paper to be inserted inthe machine to be stamped, and means operable by the escapement disk forenabling said contacts to take an open position irrespective of themaintained insertion of the paper within the machine.

5. A platen operating mechanism for a time stamp comprising a springmotor, an escapement member driven by said motor, an escapementmechanism comprising an escapement pawl and a stop pawl, the first namedpawl for releasing said escapement member to be driven by said motor toan extent predetermined by said stop pawl, an actuating member for saidplaten, operating means operable by said escapement member, and flexiblemeans interconnecting said operating means and said actuating member toenable an invariable operation of said escapement member to thepredetermined extent irrespective of the possible obstruction of theplaten.

6. A platen operating mechanism for a time stamp comprising a springmotor, an escapement member driven by said motor, an escapementmechanism for releasing said escapement member to be driven by saidmotor to a predetermined extent, an actuating member for said 10 platen,platen operating means operable by said escapement member, and flexiblemeans interconnecting said operating means and said actuating membertoenable an invariable operation predetermined by said stop pawl, anactuating member for said platen, and operating means intermediate saidescapement member and said actuating member and operable by saidescapement member each time the latter isreleased for effecting theoperation of said platen to printing position 8. A platen operatingmechanism for a time stamp comprising a spring motor, an escapementmember driven by said motor, an escapement mechanism comprising a stoppawl, and an escapement pawl movable to a position for releasing saidescapement member to be driven by said motor to an extent predeterminedby said stop pawl, an actuating member for said platen, operating meansintermediate said escapement memher and said actuating member andoperable by said escapement member each time the latter is released foreffecting the operation of said platen to printing position, a solenoidfor operating said escapement pawl to releasing position, and a circuitfor said solenoid including paper actuated contacts for energizing saidsolenoid when the paper to be stamped is inserted in the machine to astamping position.

9. In a time stamp, a spring operated motor having the customaryoperating spring mounted upon a spring winding arbor, an escapement diskcarried by said arbor and operatively connected to said operating springand having operating projections thereon, a mechanical escapementmechanism comprising a stop pawl and an escapement pawl cooperating withsuccessive teeth of said escapement disk to release said disk for apredetermined extent of rotation determined by said stop pawl, an armoperable by said operating projections when said disk escapes, an armfor actuating a platen of the time stamp, interconnecting means betweensaid arms for causing the said first named arm to actuate said platenactuating arm when said disk escapes, a solenoid for operating theescapement pawl upon its energization, a circuit for said solenoidincluding contacts actuated to closed position to energize the solenoidby the paper to be inserted in the machine to be stamped, and meansresponsive to the operation of the escapement mechanism for enablingsaid contacts to take an open position irrespective of the maintainedinsertion of the paper within the machine.

10. In a time stamp having a platen operable to effect printing on aninserted sheet, the combination of a spring motor comprising a powerspring and devices driven by said power spring, and said devicesincluding an escapement member; escapement mechanism comprising a stoppawl and an escapement pawl coacting with said member and operable whenactivated to release said escapement member so that said devices,including said escapement member, are driven by said spring to an extentpredetermined by said stop pawl; an actuating member for said platen;

' and power transmitting means connecting said driven devices and saidactuating member and effective to operate said platen each time saiddevices are driven by said spring due to the activation of saidescapement mechanism.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 and including, in addition thereto,means for activating said escapement mechanism upon the insertion of asheet, and means responsive to the driving of said devices by said powerspring to restore said escapement mechanism to its normal de-activatedcondition.

12. In a time stamp having a platen operable to effect printing on aninserted sheet, the combination of a driving motor operable instep-bystep fashion and including a power spring for operating saidmotor; escapement means coacting with said motor and operable whenactivated to provide step-by-step operation of said motor, one motoroperating step being effected REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 917,955 Leidigh Apr. 13, 19091,219,325 Jones Mar. 13, 1913 1,979,208 Friden Oct. 30, 1934 2,205,516Busse June 25, 1940

